The news took a moment to absorb, but then it hit you like a blow to the stomach. Will reached for me while Peggy anxiously wrung her hands while waiting for me to speak. I felt myself growing faint, grabbing faintly for Will to keep myself upright. Will only too kindly obliged, bringing me to his chest.

"Peggy, t-tell her I will be down in a moment. Will, there's a small bag of smelling salts in the room behind you. Will you bring them?" I asked, vaguely aware as Will set me down on a chaise. The salts were thrust under my nose and my head set upon a warm pillow. Will's fingers ran through my hair as the lavendar scented air brought me back. Once I had recovered fully did I realize the soft warm pillow was Will's lap.

"Slowly, now darling. Slowly." Will cautioned as he slowly moved me into a sitting posistion. After a few moments of sitting, and my head thankfully not spinning, I stood and prepared to go meet Mother. Will rose with me, his hand holding mine.

"Will, I don't want you to come down. She'll just insult you." I warned, already stepping towards the stairs. Will matched my step as he began to descend the stairs with me.

"Annastasia, I've just survived a shipwreck. I think I can handle your mother." He chided. I smiled, filled with his easy confidence, and stepped off of the marble stairs. By the time we had reached the formal sitting room that Moody and Will had entered two days ago she had already finished adjusting the black chiffon roses on her hat and picking at one of the candlesticks, evidenced by her fingerprints on it.

"Hello Mother." I said coolly, readying myself for the veiled insults and comments that always accompanied her visits.

"Annastasia, you and your young man look much better than the last time I saw you both." Her voice was calm as she spoke but the truth of what she was saying was obvious. The last time she had seen us was the sinking. Both of us pale, covered in clothes, and clinging to each other.

"You look better as well." I returned, glad for Will's closeness as we sat down across from her.

"I should have known you would take this house, so close to the docks. You truly should consider coming farther into the city." The languid tone she posessed betrayed her intent. Moving me farther into the city would place me farther into the social scene, which I had never enjoyed, but it would also convey that I had little thought for my father's company.

"No, I prefer it this way. The view from the windows is spectacular. Besides, I am more than comfortable here." I smiled, a feral grin.

"And you young man, you have taken up residence with my daughter?" She purred.

"Yes, she has been most accomadating." Will responded after a moment of hesitation. "She has just taken us out to purchase clothing."

"Another charity case, daughter?" She blinked for a few moments as I absorbed what she had said. Implying that Will had no money! Implying that he was poor!

"No Mother, I love him." I growled, my fingers forming into claws.

"Perhaps you whould leave now Mrs. Dalian." Will commmented, trying to soothe me by patting my arm.

"Perhaps, oh and Annastasia? If you are heading to the Astors, be warned that the Reichsters will be there." She sniffed before she waltzed out to the large car waiting on the curb. It had none of the gracefullness of the coach, but squatted low on the street. Once the door had been firmly closed did Moody jump down the stairs, a large smile on his face.

"Bit of a hag, ain't she?" He laughed, breaking the tension that Mother had brought. I laughed as well, glad for his positivity. The day, though tainted by Mother's presence turned out to be a rather nice one. I spent some time lazing in the library, a large volume by my side as I leafed through a smaller one. That was where Peggy found me a few hours after Mother's visit.

"Miss, Captain Abraham sent a sailor to inform you that the North Wind has docked." She said. I jumped up, my heart singing at the news.

"Where Peggy? Where is he?" I pestered. Peggy named the docks and the dock number and I was quickly racing down the stairs. I pulled Will and Moody from a card game they had been playing. Jonathan already had the carriage waiting and once Moody and Will had entered we set off.

"Annastasia, what's gotten into you?" Will asked, rubbing his head thoughtfully.

"Abraham! He's come! he's my father's oldest friend, a granparent to me!" I crowed, glad for the quick time it took to traverse to the docks from our house. the carriage was reined in at the dock enterance and I set off down the line, counting the large iron numbers that had been nailed to the piers where the ships berthed. The smell of coal smoke, the cry of sailors and the scratching of inventory pens set off an industrious fire within me and when I caught sight of the birght blue dolphin standing out against the pure white backround I turned suddenly down to that ship. The sailors who saw us moved out of the way as my reitnue and I bounded up the gangway. The mere sight of a dark blue coat set me all a quiver.

"Abraham!" I cried. He turned around, the scraggly gray beard breaking as he smiled happily.

"Annastasia! Where's Gregory?" He asked, embracing me.

"He-we-I, he didn't make it off of the Titanic." I stammered, feeling a bit of grief overtake me.

"Oh, my dear, I'm so sorry." Abraham murrmered, dropping his gaze. "We have a full cargo though, that ought to pay for a nice funeral."

"I suppose so." I agreed, looking to Will. He grasped my hand, smiling slightly.

"I'm sure it will be lovely, as it is though we must be going." Will, ever the tactful, replied in a smooth voice. Abraham nodded, motioning for us to go. Will sterred me off the ship, moving through the crowds with a praticed ease. We returned to the house, Peggy having already prepared a small luncheon for us, which included very nice roast beef. Afterwards I took Will aside to the small ballroom that the house posessed.

"Waltzing is very easy, just hold me like this." I told him, anchoring his hands on my waist. I clasped mine on his shoulders, giving me a perfect view of his face. "And all you do, is move in a circle, slowly moving from side to side." He began to do as I told him, pulling me closer and closer the more we turned. Finally, he stopped with my head on his chest.

"This is highly improper." I told him, rather reluctant to give up my nice warm spot on his chest.

"It's damn proper to me." He chuckled, drawing me closer. I gave in, wrapping myself around him in the silent ballroom.

Hehehe . . . Sorry for such a long wait. Major writer's block, high school, life in general got in the way. Leave your opinions in the reviews though, I'd love to know what you think!